Page 96 of Betrothed
After blinking several times, my vision slowly began to clear. “Vivian.”
“Yes, I’m right here. You scared me for a little while.” Her smile was guarded and she continually glanced at something over my head.
When I moved, it felt as if I was tied down. I slowly lowered my gaze, taking a few seconds before I realized why I’d felt suffocated. I was lying in bed. “Where… am I?”
“The hospital and before you become angry, I had no choice but to bring you here. You were burning up with a fever. Your organs were shutting down.”
Very slowly, everything began to slide into perspective. The hospital room. The sound of machines.
Several images that I’d rather forget.
Vivian standing over me wearing the same kind of scrubs she’d worn before. “What happened?” The dream I’d had was vivid, one that hadn’t bothered me for years. I had no clue why it had been the reason that I’d awakened other than as a premonition.
“The knife the assailant used had traces of ricin, which caused the infection, a fever and would have eventually killed you. You’re lucky to be alive.”
“The gunman wanted me to suffer.”
“Yes.”
I sank further into the pillow. “Just like what happened with Kazimir. His brother wanted him to suffer.” While the memories were sketchy, I remembered some of what had occurred. “How long have I been out?”
“Three days. You were in a coma and I was beginning to worry. Kazimir’s cousin was here a couple times and there are men stationed everywhere.”
My mind continued to process the events. “What did I do to you?”
“Why would you think you did anything?”
“Because your throat is bruised and I remember hurting you.”
Immediately, she snapped her hand around her neck, her fingers caressing her skin. “You were delirious and didn’t know what you were doing.”
When I reached for her hand, she bristled, which allowed me to know whatever actions I’d taken had terrified her. “I won’t hurt you. Again.”
She sighed, nodding while finally allowing me to take her fingers into mine. “I know you won’t. You really weren’t yourself. Not at all.”
“I’m very sorry.” Fuck. What in the hell had I done?
“It’s not your fault, Kirill. Ricin is terrible and I’m shocked your system remained stable that long. I was very worried.”
“Three days. I need to get out of here.” When I started to sit up, she yanked her hand away to push me down by the shoulders. As usual, her perfume settled into my system, causing an instant reaction. Misplaced desire.
Memories were returning, including what I’d discovered about the woman who’d likely saved my life not once but twice.
“You’re not going anywhere. You’ve been in a coma for three days and I’m your doctor, so you are staying.” Her authoritative voice was stimulating, but I wasn’t used to being in this position.
“Who is outside that door?”
“What?”
“I assume you didn’t drag me to this hospital yourself.”
Vivian’s eyes narrowed. “No. I did need help since you collapsed on me. That was after you destroyed that office.” She pulled away, enough that I sensed she was uncertain what to do.
This time my grasp of her arm was more forceful.
“You’re hurting me.”
I pulled her closer, close enough her lovely face was only inches away. “Is there anything you need to tell me, Vivian? Anything at all?”
